Water scarcity hitting Rajasthan's wildlife sanctuaries

Jaipur: Water scarcity in wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan is killing animals and forcing them into human habitations, an expert has said.

"According to our estimates over 150 panthers have lost their lives due to water and food scarcity in the wildlife sanctuaries in the last one-and-a-half years. The situation is going to become critical in the next two months", Babulal Jaju, the in-charge of People for Animals (PFA) in the state said.

Animals face a tough time. Reuters

Water scarcity is forcing wild animals to stray into villages, he said, citing media reports of human-wildlife conflict.

Rajasthan boasts of two tiger projects, a bird sanctuary and over 25 wildlife sanctuaries.

The forest department claims it's spending Rs 77 lakh on supplying water through tankers and tube wells in wildlife sanctuaries.

Animal rights activists say the effort is hardly adequate.

"Rs 77 lakh is a meagre amount. It's just a fraction of what is needed," Jaju said, adding animals need water not only for drinking but also for bathing and playing.

"Every summer this problem comes up... the state government should come out with a permanent solution so that these wild animals do not suffer," he said.

With temperatures soaring, several small water reservoirs have become parched while others are on the brink of drying up, Jaju added.